<p>Spotify Premium is now embedded in EA SPORTS FC 25, so players can stream their own music during matches.</p>
<p>A slim banner links EA and Spotify accounts in one click, making music a core layer alongside tactics and competition.</p>
<p>The pilot is limited to Premium users in Saudi Arabia and Australia on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.</p>
<p>Aligns with Saudi Vision 2030: 67 % of residents game regularly, and the local industry could reach $13 billion by 2030.</p>
<p>Players gain access to 100 million songs and 7 million podcasts, with curated match-day playlists and talk shows.</p>
<p>Activation occurs via an in-game pop-up; FC 25 remains cross-platform, with the pitch doubling as a built-in DJ booth.</p>


<p>BloomPath, a SaaS startup, raised $1,3 million in pre-seed funding from RAED Ventures.<br />
The funding will enhance BloomPath’s AI-driven platform for improved team management and productivity.<br />
BloomPath is described as revolutionising engineering functions and tracking team priorities effectively.<br />
Investors praise BloomPath&#8217;s bold vision of reshaping organisational performance and employee engagement.<br />
Initial funding will boost product development and expand BloomPath’s presence in global markets.</p>


<p>Techrar, a Saudi startup, raised $1,6 million led by Wa&#8217;ed Ventures.<br />
Founded in 2022, Techrar provides a platform for managing billing and subscriptions seamlessly.<br />
Funding will enhance product development, team growth, and market expansion.<br />
Industry confidence in Techrar is evident with significant investment support.<br />
Transforming funding into growth will be crucial as Techrar scales strategically.</p>


<p>TDF signed a financing agreement with Dar Al Arkan and Smart Destination.</p>
<p>The project is a luxury mountain resort in Abha’s Al Soudah area.</p>
<p>It will include a hotel, serviced apartments, restaurants, and retail outlets.</p>
<p>The development aligns with the “Saudi Summer” and “Spirit of Saudi” campaigns.</p>
<p>TDF aims to attract private investment to Asir’s tourism sector.</p>


<p>Ruya Bank introduces Shari’ah-compliant crypto investments, a first in Islamic banking.</p>
<p>Partnership with Fuze ensures secure, ethical access to digital assets.</p>
<p>Services integrated into Ruya’s mobile app for user convenience.</p>
<p>UAE&#8217;s virtual asset market saw a 42% growth, totaling over $30 billion by June 2024.</p>
<p>Focus on long-term wealth building aligns with Islamic financial principles.​</p>


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<p class="" data-start="80" data-end="157"><strong data-start="80" data-end="108">AWS partners with Manara</strong> to launch a regional tech training initiative.</p>
<p class="" data-start="161" data-end="221"><strong data-start="161" data-end="177">$3,6 million</strong> will be invested over the next two years.</p>
<p class="" data-start="225" data-end="307"><strong data-start="225" data-end="253">2,500 software engineers</strong> across MENA will be trained in cloud and AI skills.</p>
<p class="" data-start="311" data-end="394">Participants will receive <strong data-start="337" data-end="391">AWS certifications, mentorship, and career support</strong>.</p>
<p class="" data-start="398" data-end="487">The goal is to <strong data-start="413" data-end="443">bridge the tech skills gap</strong> and drive digital innovation in the region.</p>
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<p class="" data-start="68" data-end="145"><strong data-start="68" data-end="76">nmbr</strong> is a Dubai-based startup registered in the state of Delaware, USA.</p>
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<p class="" data-start="149" data-end="210">The company launched its public waitlist starting April 14.</p>
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<p class="" data-start="214" data-end="283">The first one million users will receive exclusive digital “nmbrs.”</p>
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<p class="" data-start="287" data-end="353">These users will also be granted Restricted Common Stock shares.</p>
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<p class="" data-start="357" data-end="419">This offer gives users actual equity ownership in the company.</p>
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<p>Sary and ShopUp have merged to form the SILQ Group, expanding B2B trade connections.<br />
This merger taps into the $682 billion trade corridor between Gulf nations and South Asia.<br />
SILQ Group plans to offer fintech solutions via their new financial arm, SILQ Financial.<br />
Major investors like Sanabil Investments and Valar Ventures back this ambitious merger.<br />
The merger benefits SMEs with enhanced logistics, finance, and technological support.</p>


<p>Rentify secures $500,000 to enhance its digital rental platform in the Emirati market.<br />
The startup aims to digitise the rental process, using AI for tenant verification.<br />
Funding will boost technical skills and expand operations across the UAE.<br />
COO Rajneel Kumar focuses on reducing paperwork, offering streamlined digital agreements.<br />
Rentify highlights 24-hour customer support for hassle-free landlord and tenant experiences.</p>


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<p data-start="3" data-end="71"><strong data-start="3" data-end="20" data-is-only-node="">Pronoia is #1</strong> – Outperforms ChatGPT and DeepSeek in Arabic AI.</p>
<p data-start="76" data-end="162"><strong data-start="76" data-end="96" data-is-only-node="">Mastering Arabic</strong> – Understands dialects and cultural context with high accuracy.</p>
<p data-start="167" data-end="245"><strong data-start="167" data-end="188" data-is-only-node="">Secure and Flexible</strong> – Offers high security and lower costs for businesses.</p>
<p data-start="250" data-end="316"><strong data-start="250" data-end="273" data-is-only-node="">A Win for Arabic AI</strong> – Proves Arabic AI can compete globally.</p>
<p data-start="321" data-end="405" data-is-last-node=""><strong data-start="321" data-end="343" data-is-only-node="">A Promising Future</strong> – Paving the way for smarter Arabic content and AI systems.</p>
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<p>Zain Bahrain earned the Corporate Ethical Procurement and Supply certification from CIPS.<br />
Their procurement team completed extensive training on fraud, bribery, and corruption prevention.<br />
Shayma AlHelaibi highlighted the company&#8217;s dedication to high ethical business standards.<br />
Sam Achampong praised Zain Bahrain&#8217;s focus on robust ethical procurement strategies.<br />
This certification strengthens transparency and trust across Zain Bahrain&#8217;s supply chain.</p>


<p>NymCard, a Middle Eastern embedded finance platform, raised $33 million in a Series B round.<br />
QED Investors led the investment, marking their first venture funding in the Gulf region.<br />
NymCard operates in over 10 countries, offering financial infrastructure to various businesses.<br />
Their in-house platform, nCore, provides seamless card issuing and payment processing.<br />
With new funding, NymCard aims to expand its customised financial solutions across the region.</p>


<p>HyperPay&#8217;s Tap-on-Phone lets UAE businesses accept payments via Android smartphones.<br />
This tech aids small businesses by removing need for traditional point-of-sale machines.<br />
Fintech startups in the region secured $700 million in 2024, indicating investor confidence.<br />
HyperPay plans to expand into Saudi Arabia and Egypt, riding a wave of fintech investment.<br />
The UAE&#8217;s shift to a cashless society is advancing rapidly, making digital payments ubiquitous.</p>


Mariam Mwanes

Mariam Mwanes, Author at Arageek

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Arageek: MENA&#039;s Tech Pulse — Web3, AI &amp; Startups

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